Why Tiffany Haddish’s Monse runway walk is the most talked-about moment from NYFW

Paris Hilton admits her mom dared Haddish to get up and walk the runway at Monse’s spring/summer 2025 show

Tiffany Haddish sparks debate for her unofficial NYFW runway debut (Getty Images for alice + olivia)

New York Fashion Week’s spring/summer 2025 season has officially wrapped as of September 11, but moments from the five-day affair are still being debated online.

From Grier Henchy to Dream Kardashian and Offset, several A-listers made their runway debut, walking for dream brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Luar. And while most of these moments were met with praise and adoration from show attendees and fans at home, other unforeseen catwalk appearances weren’t well-received.

On September 7, Tiffany Haddish sparked controversy when she got up from her seat to strut down the runway at Monse’s spring/summer presentation. The two-minute facade wasn’t planned by the 44-year-old actress or the brand, but instead by the one and only Kathy Hilton.

In videos from the show, Haddish could be seen sitting next to Hilton and her two daughters – Paris and Nicky Rothschild. Hilton appeared to say, “Go now,” encouraging the Girls Trip star to walk down the runway in between the official models.

“Right now and you go down and you tell this photographer,” Hilton demanded, prompting Haddish to ask: “Do I do it now?”

“Yes, now! There’s nothing going on,” the 65-year-old fashion designer exclaimed.

Dressed in a satin pear-colored suit, Haddish left her front row seat to have her shining moment as an unofficial Monse model. And the Night School star took her time, rounding the runway entirely as guests clapped and cheered.

After the show, Paris Hilton posted footage of Haddish on the runway, admitting her mom had instigated the walk.

“My mom @KathyHilton dared @TiffanyHaddish to hit the @MonseMaison runway. But like Tiff always says… ‘She Ready,’ her caption read.

On Instagram, Kris Jenner complimented Hilton. “God I love your mom,” she wrote. But though she, Hilton, her daughters, and Haddish might have found the act amusing and iconic, a few critics argued the impromptu walk was “disappointing.”

One viewer directed their comment at Haddish: “You were a guest at the fashion show and not there as a worker — not to entertain anyone. You were there just like everyone else to enjoy the show not walk it.”

“I feel like this is low key super disrespectful to the designers,” a second user agreed, while another added: “I actually think this is rude.”

Others thought Hilton was intentionally trying to embarrass Haddish. “That was no dare, it was a demand,” one woman pointed out.

Meanwhile, another viewer said: “One day I hope you learn the difference between someone laughing with you and someone laughing at you.”

Monse’s creative directors Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia addressed Haddish’s mid-show runway debut on their social media. Kim asked the A-lister to explain what prompted her to get up and do it.

The on-screen star confessed not only did Hilton dare her, but Paris and Nicky were heavily encouraging her as well. Kim and Gracia didn’t know what was happening when they heard the noise from the crowd. While the two designers appeared to be laughing as Haddish explained herself, Kim subtly says she doesn’t know if there will be a “next time” for the actress at their show.

That said, speaking to People, Garcia emphasized: “At Monse Tiffany Haddish and Kathy Hilton are family, and the best sign of love and support is showing that we all were having fun by joining in on the show.

“We are very lucky to have friends like them, and hope they open and close our show next season.”

The Independent has contacted Haddish and Hilton for comment.